HOBOKEN – The Hoboken City Council is expected to address a resolution that would make Mayor Dawn Zimmer’s staffers’ communications with the local media public tonight, and it’s been causing quite a stir in the blogosphere in Hoboken.
The top three names on the resolution are pro-Zimmer bloggers, followed by newspaper reporters, editors, and campaign officials.
The resolution, sponsored by Council President Beth Mason and Councilman Michael
Russo, calls for the release of emails between 12 people and Juan Melli, the city’s communication director, and Dan Bryan, Zimmer’s confidential aide. The purpose of the legislation is to investigate whether or not the mayor’s staffers are using city time for political purposes, according to the resolution.
The council will also address a settlement agreement between the city and five
Hispanic officers on the infamous SWAT team who were involved in litigation stemming from an alleged discrimination incident.
The case was settled on Jan. 28, and an order of dismissal was issued by United States District Court Judge Stanley Chesler, U.S.D.J., according to a legal database.
However, the settlement agreement needs to be approved by the council. The issue was on the agenda at a previous meeting, but after the details of the settlement were leaked by a council member to a Hoboken local news blog, the administration pulled it from the agenda, hoping that the settlement could be voted on after the Election Day hysteria in Hoboken had passed.
Also on the agenda is a resolution to award Liberty Humane Society for services for animal control through April 30, 2012 for up to $65,000.
The May 18 meeting is the first meeting since the May 10 election which saw Councilman Nino Giacchi lose to Jen Giattino, a Zimmer supporter. However, Giattino is not expected to take the seat until July 1, after a swearing-in ceremony.
Watch the meeting at 7 p.m. tonight HERE. And check back with HudsonReporter.com for updates. – Ray Smith